Family takes up state funeral offer for Lou Richards

LOU Richards will be honoured with a state funeral after his family on Tuesday accepted the Victorian Government's offer of a public farewell for the Collingwood legend.

The timing is still being finalised, but the likelihood is that the funeral may now take place next week.

Richards died on Monday at a Melbourne nursing home, aged 94, with his passing evoking countless tributes from those who knew him and those who felt as if they knew him across his more than 70 years in the public eye.

The Magpie great, who played 250 games for Collingwood and captained its 1953 premiership side, will be farewelled with a state funeral in a similar manner to legendary Bulldogs champion and media personality Ted Whitten, who died in 1995.

Richards' daughter, Nicole Morrison, spoke with family members after the State Government made the offer of a state funeral before agreeing to the move.

Thousands of Collingwood fans are expected to fill the streets for the funeral service.

Melbourne legend Jim Stynes was the last AFL footballer granted a state-funded send-off in 2012.

"I think dad would have really liked the idea," Ms Morrison said.

"And though the family might be nervous in terms of pressure, we think this is something he deserves. And we think a lot of Victorians would like that."

And in a poignant move, Richards' daughters Nicole and Kim are considering resting the ashes of their late mother Edna with their father for his final internment.